Dan Brannan is Content Director of RiverBender and EdGlenToday.com. Dan started at Riverbender.com/Edglentoday.com in December 2014. He is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with degrees in Journalism and Psychology. Having previously served as the Executive Editor of The Telegraph in Alton, his 17-year tenure led the paper to over 350 awards including several General Excellence awards in the Illinois Press Association, Illinois Associated Press, Freedom Communications, Southern Illinois Editorial Association and Journal Register Company contests. Brannan was chosen to lead Freedom Communications' national pilot on social media.
He is the author of eight nonfiction books including: "The Courage to Live," a biography about Donna Gustavel, a young woman with multiple disabilities; "Everyday Angels," an inspirational book of moving human interest stories; "Live Life to the Fullest: Stories of People Coping With Diabetes" which is endorsed by the American Diabetes Association; "Boy Giant: The Story of Robert Wadlow The World's Tallest Man;" "Damn Cold and Starving" written with Sgt. Marion Ray; "You Can't Kill the Dream" co-written with fellow journalist Ande Yakstis; and "A Life in Parts," the story of Loretta Goebel and endorsed by Beatle Paul McCartney.
Dan, an avid exercise enthusiast, is a member of the American Diabetes Association and lives in Maryville. Dan has two children in college - Savannah and Sierra.
EAST ST. LOUIS — The East St. Louis Community Tennis Association has had an incredible summer. A ribbon cutting in May 2025 unveiled the six brand new courts at East St. Louis Senior High in May 2025. East St. Louis has hosted tennis tournaments, free lessons, and school outreach events over...
ALTON — Six Alton Middle School cheerleaders have been selected as All-American Cheerleaders at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) Cheer Camp, earning an invitation to perform at the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 28, 2025. The cheerleaders, recognized on June 18, 2025...
EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Art Fair is Sept. 26-28. This is another of the series of profiles on participating artists. Artist #1 Artist Name: Gary Rondeau Medium: Jewelry Artist Statement: "My work starts from a simple idea — what happens when you treat metal...
ST. CLAIR COUNTY — Two people died late Sunday night, July 13, 2025, in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Ruby Lane and Illinois Route 3 near Dupo in St. Clair County, officials said. The crash occurred around 11:50 p.m. in Cahokia Heights, according to the Illinois State Police....
BELLEVILLE - Belleville Police are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred early Sunday morning, July 13, 2025, on the 500 block of North 40th Street. At approximately 12:55 a.m. on July 13, officers responded to a disturbance involving a person who had been shot. Upon arrival, officers found...
COLLINSVILLE - The Collinsville Police Department hosted a Motorcycle Reconstruction course this week, providing advanced training to law enforcement officers and private sector investigators from Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The course, offered by the Northwestern University...
EDWARDSVILLE - Montclaire Swim Club swimmers set two new pool records on the way to a dual meet win over Paddlers Swim Club of Granite City in a Southwestern Illinois Swimming Association event held Thursday evening, July 10, 2025, at Montclaire. The Marlins took an overall 479-161 win over...
COLLINSVILLE - At this week’s City Council meeting in Collinsville, Abstracts & Titles Inc. presented the City of Collinsville Parks and Recreation with a $12,500 check to sponsor the In-Ground Merry-Go-Round for Glidden Park’s planned All Abilities Playground. The donation supports the...
ALTON - Felyncia Matlock has launched a fundraiser to support the family of 17-year-old Shabrya L. Hudson, who died in a tragic shooting incident on the early morning of July 4, 2025. The fundraiser, hosted on GoFundMe , aims to assist the grieving family with financial burdens during this difficult...
EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville High School science teacher Sara Chapman has received the ACS-Hach High School Chemistry Grant from the American Chemical Society, the Edwardsville School District 7 announced this week. The competitive grant, which provides up to $1,500 to high school chemistry...
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